Know the facts about whiplash

When people get into a car accident in New York, they may think they did not sustain an injury. However, people may incur an injury called whiplash. It is important for people to recognize the signs of this injury so they can seek medical attention.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a person may get whiplash if his or her head snaps back and forth during a car collision. While some people may think that whiplash means their neck is only a bit sore, this is not the case. This injury can harm the muscles, ligaments, and disks in the neck, and it can be a severe injury. Because of this, it is important for people to see their doctor so they understand the extent of the injury.

After people incur whiplash, they may experience many symptoms. Some people might have a headache and feel pain in their neck. Other people may realize their neck has decreased range of motion. People may feel tingling in their arms or experience shoulder pain. Most of the time, people notice these symptoms a day after the car crash. Many people may find that their symptoms subside in the weeks after the incident. However, in some situations, a person may experience symptoms for a few months. This may be more likely if someone is older or has had whiplash in the past.

There are many ways a physician might treat whiplash. The Mayo Clinic says that a doctor may take x-rays to see the full extent of the injury or ask patients to complete small tasks with their heads and necks. For injuries that are less severe, a doctor might recommend that patients put cold or hot packs on the injury and rest. However, sometimes a physician might write a prescription or tell a patient to take an over-the-counter medication. If people have a more severe injury, some doctors might suggest physical therapy to help neck muscles regain their strength.